Sexual and hypothalamic dysfunction in the postconcussional syndrome.
Nineteen males with a well-developed postconcussional syndrome were studied by CT-scan, by psychometric testing and by endocrinological evaluation including a variety of laboratory tests and an assessment of sexual function, 68% had cerebral atrophy on CT-scan and 79% were intellectually impaired, 37% to a severe degree. Sexual dysfunction (reduced libido and/or erective dysfunction) related to the head injury occurred in 58%, and severe intellectual impairment was significantly more frequent in this group. Increased plasma concentration of follicle stimulating hormone was observed in 37%, suggesting a reduced spermiogenesis. The possibility of a primary hypothalamic disorder causing reduced spermiogenesis is raised. Otherwise no radiological or laboratory evidence of major hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction was demonstrated. The high frequency of cerebral atrophy and intellectual deterioration in postconcussional syndrome suggests organic brain dysfunction, but not causal relationship was established.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy / Q000209:etiology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D013577:Syndrome; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone